Jig for making custom chairs



Nov. 26, 1963 J. B. DRENTH JIG FOR MAKING CUSTOM CHAIRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Jan. 15, 1962 INVENTOR. 1M apr'e zzzfl ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent lll.

This invention relates generally to an upholsterers jig providing anupholstere-r a tool or device for making custom upholstered chairs andmore particularly to an upholstering method and an adjustableupholsterers jig for making personalized custom upholstered chairs.

A personalized custom chair is made to fit the contours and build of aparticular person. The jig or gage of the present invention is capableof proper, simple adjustments in measuring a prospective buyer.

Although so-called custom chairs have been provided heretofore, noupholsterers jig known to the applicant has ever been provided with aplurality of measuring means that are individually adjustable andcapable of being adjusted from a single position. According to prior artpractices, the upholsterer or chair builder is required to make themeasurements by continuously moving around a frame to make adjustmentson various movable frame members. That type of measurement would subjecta purchaser to long tedious hours of measurement if he wanted apersonalized custom chair. Also, even after all these multipleadjustments, the personalized chair would not end up correctly becauseit would be practically impossible to coordinate all the numerousindividual adjustments with the desires of the prospective user.Further, in most prior art arrangements the frame is physicallyincorporated into the finished chair, thereby precluding duplication ofthe chair or further use of the frame as a jig.

The long, tedious, and time-consuming process of making personalizedcustom chairs with the available prior art jigs would make themanufacturing of such chairs unfeasible since long hours and the workrequired to obtain the measurements for the personalized chair wouldunduly raise the expense of such a chair, discourage prospectivepurchasers, and even after these long hours of measurement, the chairwould not have the desired characteristics.

The present invention substantially eliminates the deficiencies of priorart practices by providing a jig or fixture having adjustment means fordetermining all vital parts of a custom chair quickly and conveniently.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a jig forcustomizing chairs having a plurality of tiltable back sectionsadjustable forwards and backwards and combined with an adjustable seatand adjustable arms in such a manner that all the parts may be adjustedwith accuracy, versatility and speed.

it is another object of the instant invention to provide a jig forpersonalizing a custom built chair, wherein the adjusting means includeactuator portions extending into a common accessible area to allow theoperator to quickly and conveniently adjust the jig components to thedesired positions.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a jig of the present invention forpersonalizing custom built chairs;

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the jig shown in FIGURE 1 of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective partial rear view of the jig of the presentinvention.

As shown on the drawings:

According to the present invention a jig or fixture or gage means isprovided for personalizing a custom built chair so the chair may bebuilt to the personal specifications with respect to contour, height,and cushionability desired by an individual user.

3,ll2,l3i Patented Nov. 26, 1963 Referring to PTGURE 1 there is shown aside view of the jig 11 of the present invention. The jig 11 has a frame12 mounting a multiple section back shown generally at 13, aninterchangeable seat portion M, and adjustable arms 16 on each side ofthe jig -11.

The frame 12 is composed of a base support frame 18, a side supportframe 23, and an upright support frame 33. The base support frame 18 hasa pair of side angle iron supports 19 with the angles facing towards theseat portion 14%. The sides 19 are generally parallel to each other andare on opposite sides of the seat portion 14. The two sides 19 arejoined together at their front end by a front angle iron (not shown)which is positioned forwmdly of the seat portion 14- with its anglefacing towards the seat portion 14. Near the rear ends of the sides 19is a rear angle iron 21 with its angle facing towards the seat 14 andadjacent thereto. The front and rear angle irons are generally parallelto each other and together with the side angle irons 19 form a frame orenclosure to enclose the seat portion 14.

The base frame 18 has the side frame support member 23 attached thereto.The side frame 23 has mounted at the rear end of each side support 19,vertical angle irons 24 attached at its base. normal to the sides 19.

Between the rear base support 21 and vertical support angle iron 24,there are two more vertical angle irons as, one mounted on each baseside support 19. The vertical angle iron 26 is preferably normal to theside supports 19. The side and vertical angle irons are attached to oneanother by welding, bolting or other suitable means. It should beunderstood that while angle irons are disclosed for the support, otherstructural shapes of metal forms could be used without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

The upper end of the vertical support 26 is connected to the upper endof the vertical support 24. A horizontal longitudinal angle iron 27 isparallel to the side support 19 The longitudinal support angle iron 27forms a vertical rectilinear configuration with the side 19 and thevertical supports 26 and 24. However, only support 26 is attached to anend of the longitudinal support 27. The opposite end of support 27extends rearwardly beyond the upper end connection of vertical support24. The upper ends of each angle iron 27 are connected to each other bya horizontal transversely extending channel iron 28. The rear end of thehorizontal longitudinal bars 27 are connected to each other by the rearhorizontal transversely extending angle iron 29.

An inclined angle iron 31, disposed on each side of the jig, is attachedat its top end to the junction of the angle irons 26, 2'7, and 29. Theangle iron 31 extends from this junction to the base side 19. It isattached to the base side 19 at 32 which is towards the front of the jigin front of the center of the seat portion 14. The angular support 31forms a right triangular configuration on each side of the jig withvertical support 26 and base side support 19.

The upright support frame 33 has two support bars 34 disposed angularlyto the transverse plane but parallel to the longitudinal plane of thejig lit. The support bars 3-4 are connected to the rear base supports 21at their base ends 36 and incline towards the rear of the jig and areparallel to each other. The supports 34 are joined adjacent their upperends by the transverse cross support 29.

An upright support frame 33 is centrally affixed to the cross support29. The angles on the support frame 33 as well as the irons 34 facerearwardly. The upright support frame 33 is parallel to the supports 34-and is connected at its bottom end to the rear angle iron 21 and its topend is the top of the back frame. The upright The angle iron 24 ispreferably fit {a support frame 33 and the supports 34 are affixed tothe front side of the cross support 29.

The multiple back section 13 has a plurality of cushions 39, 41, 4-2,43, 44 and 46. Each cushion extends the width of the back section andforms a portion of the height of said back section. Mounted on the rearflat surface of the cushions are pairs of brackets 47, 4 3, 49, 51, 52and 53, respectively. The pair of mountings on each cushion allows eachcushion to be detached and replaced by a cushion of another density anddegree of hardness. Thereby individual preference as to the type ofcushion is easily and readily determined.

The cushions 39, 41 and 43 have respective pairs of brackets 47, 48 andEach bracket in a pair of brackets is so spaced along the length of itsback cushion to give stability to its back cushion. Adjusting means 54,56 and 57 are attached respectively to cushions 3%, 41 and 42.

The adjusting means 56 and 57 are detachably mounted and pivotallyconnected to the brackets 4-7, 48 and 49 by respective brackets 58, 59and 61. brackets 58*, 59 and 61 are respectively mounted on the brackets47, 4-3 and 49 by respective pins 69, 71 and 72 which pass rotatablytherethrough and are afiixed to brackets 47, 48 and 49 respectively.

Flat boards 62, 63 and 64 are provided and have the respective pair ofbrackets 58, 59 and 61 mounted thereon. A threaded rod 66, 67 and 68 isrotatably carried by the -upright support frame 33 for each respectiveboard 62,

63 and 64 and engages a mounting bracket 69, 71 and 72 which may takethe form of a clevis or U-shaped member having legs disposed on oppositesides of a lug projecting from the rear support of the correspondingcushion. As each rod is threaded in the frame 33, the correspondingcushion is adjusted selectively forwardly or rearwardly. Since thecushions are pivotally mounted in each corresponding bracket 65, thecushions will tilt to an adjusted position conforming to the back of theuser.

The rods 66, 67 and 68 extend toward the rear of the jig 11 androtatably pass through the upnight support 38. Turning handles 73, 74-and 76 are mounted on the ends of the rods to aid the operator inturning the respective rods 66, 67 and 63.

Since the upper three cushions 39, 4-1 and 4-2 have only one screw rod66, 67 and 63 respectively, the jig is provided with stabilizing rods77, 78 and 79 each disposed below a corresponding screw rod and fastenedto a corresponding bracket 58, 59 and 61 as at 62. The rods 77, 78 and79 slidably extend through sleeve openings 77a, 78a, and 79a provided inthe frame 33. Thus rotation of the cushions is prevented.

The cushions 43, 44 and 46 have respective pairs of brackets 51, 52 and53. The brackets in each pair are spaced adjacent each end of acorresponding cushion and pivotally engage corresponding lugs on thecushions. Flat boards 38, 89 and 91 extend the length of the cushionsand are spaced rearwardly from the back face of the respective cushions43, 44 and 46. Attached to the front face of the back boardsrespectively are brackets 81, 82 and 83. The bracket means 81, 82 and 83are pivotally connected to the respective brackets 51, 52 and 53 by pins84, 86 and 87.

There are two pairs of brackets 31, 82 and 33 on each of the boards 88,S9 and 91, as well as two pins 84, 86 and 87 for each pair of bracketsand two pairs of brackets 51, 52 and 53 and each cushion.

Three pairs of rods 92, 93 and 94 are provided, one pair for each board88, 89 and 91, one rod of each pair being on each side of the jig 11.The rods engage the brackets and are threaded in the frame members 34thereby to adjust the cushions 43, 44 and 46 forwardly or rearwardly.

The arms 16 each have an arm rest support 99. On top of the support 99is mounted a cushion arm rest 1421. Dctcnt means in the form of a slotand a pin provided The 4 between the arm rest support 99 and the armrest 101 supply the arm rests with means to adjust the length of eacharm rest independently of the other arm rest. The arm rest is alsoadjustable laterally by virtue of a sleeve means formed in the bottom ofthe arm rest 10!.

Mounted towards the rear end of the arm rest 99 are rods 1%. The top ofthe rod is attached to the rear of the arm rest 99 and extendsdownwardly as at 182 therefrom. The rods curve at 103 and extendparallel to the base side 19 at 104. The end of the horizontallyextending section 164 is attached to the end of veutical rod means 166.The vertical rod means 106 extends perpendicular to the horizontal rod104 and parallel to vertical angle irons 26.

The vertical rods 166 are slidably supported in sleeves I07 mounted onthe vertical angle irons 26. The tops of the two rods 166 (one on eachside of the jig 11) are connected to transversely extending angle irons103, 108.

The angle irons 168 extend upwardly at 109, 109 and parallel to the sideof the back upright support 33. The angle irons 169, 1 39 slidablyengage the sides of the upright support 33 as best shown in FIGURES 2and 3.

Mounted on each side of the jig are angle rods 117 that engage angleirons 108, 108 and the rear of the arm base 99.

Afiixed to me support 33 is a transverse bracket 116 which guides theangle irons 10-9, 109. A plate 118 is connected to the angle irons 09,169 and slidably engages the support The plate 118 has r tatably securedon its top end an adjusting rod 119. The adjusting rod 119 isscrewthreaded through the transverse bracket 116 and has a handle 121 onthe upper end thereof. By turning the adjusting rod 119 the plate 118 ismoved up or down and carries the arm irons 1.639, 169 for adjustment upand down relative to the support frame 33. T he vertical motion of theangle irons 1G9, 169 vertically moves the rod sections 166 through thesleeves 107. Thus, the arm base 99 is raised or lowered towards thedesired level by turning the adjusting rod 119 by its handle 121.

The seat has a base board 22 with slots formed therein to fit over thefront edges of the angle irons 19. On top or within the confines of thebase board 22 on each side of the jig 11 is a base spring seat 123 whichis slidably adjustable in a track mounted on the base formed by the sideangle irons l9, and angle irons 29 and front angle irons (not shown). Ontop of the spring base 123 is placed a cushion 124. By interchanging thespring base 123 and the cushion 124 the desired density and degree ofhardness of the cushion 124 may be obtained.

In back of the upright support 34 and the rear of the jig 11, betweenthe two side frames 1?, is a hydraulic lift 126 operated by a foot pedalactuator 127. The hydraulic lift is used to raise and lower the entireseat to the level desired by the purchaser. The hydraulic lift 126, bythe foot handle 127, raises and lowers a piston 128 movable within acylinder. On top of the piston 128 is mounted a channel member thatextends transversely to form a transverse bar 129.

The transverse bar E29 extends just beyond the sides of the hydraulicjack 126 and is attached to one end of vertical bars 131 descendingperpendicular thereto. The opposite end of the perpendicular bars arecentrally attached to longitudinal bars 132 which are normal to thevertical bars 131 and are adjacent to the sides of the jack 126. Therear end of the longitudinal bars 132 are connected to an angle iron133. The angle iron 133 is connected to the longitudinal bars 132 ateach end by studs 134 which are held onto the angle irons by threadedU-clarnps.

The front end of the longitudinal irons 132 has attached theretovertical irons 136. Connecting the tops of the two vertical irons 136 isa transverse angle iron 137. The

' transverse angle iron 137 is also connected directly to the piston 128and also contacts the bottom surface of the transverse angle iron 29.

The transverse bar 133 has a rod 139 rotatably mount ed thereon. The rod139 extends vertically upward and is screw-threaded through thetransverse bar 28 and extends therethrough. The rod 139 has a handle 141to facilitate the turning thereof.

The chair is raised by actuating the foot pedal 127 thereby actuating ahydraulic pump or cylinder and raising the piston 128. The piston 128raises the transverse bar 129 and the transverse bar 137. The transversebar 137 engages the bottom of angle iron 29 and thus the entire jig israised.

To adjust the tilt of the jig, the operator turns the rod 139 by thehandle 141. By turning the rod 139 the operator either increases ordecreases the space between the transverse bar 133 and the transverseiron 28, thus pivoting the bar 29 relative to the fulcrum provided bythe transverse bar 137. The entire frame is thus adjustably tilted onthe bar 137.

The present invention provides an upholsterer with a jig for rapidlycustom building an upholstered chair. The prospective user sits in thejig which is selectively adjusted in height, tilt and contour as well asfor spacing adjustment with respect to the arms and supports and thedensity and hardness of the cushion sections.

In operation, the height is adjusted by actuating the hydraulic jack 126by the foot pedal 127. This raises the entire frame 12 by the raisingbar 29. The hydraulic jack 126 actuates a hydraulic cylinder 128 whichraises transverse bar 129 which is connected to raise bar 29. The framethen may be tilted by turning the tilting rod 139 by its handle 141,thereby moving the transverse bar 28 and tilting the frame by pivotingthe raising bar 29 on the support 137.

After the degree of tilt has been determined, the arms are adjusted totheir correct height and length and width (or separation) and the backrest is adjusted to the desired contour. The contour of the back may beadjusted, for example, by Working from the last back cushion 46 upwardsto the first back cushion 39. Arms may be adjusted when the position ofthe back cushions is determined. The back is adjusted to its contour bymoving the individual cushion back rests 39, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 46forwards and backwards by the respective control rods 73, 74 and 76, 92,93 and 94. Along with the forwards and backwards adjustment of theindividual cushioned back rests, the tilt of the back cushions is alsodetermined by the brackets 58, 59, 61, $1, 82, and 83.

Although various minor modifications of the present invention may becomereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, it should be understoodthat I wish to embody Within the scope of the patent warranted hereonall such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope ofmy contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. An upholsterers jig for customizing an upholsteredchair comprising,

a frame,

an adjustable back on said frame having,

a plurality of sections,

each of said sections extending the width of said back,

means connected to each back section to tiltably support each backsection,

means connected to each back section to movably support and confine eachsection for movement forwards and backwards;

two adjustable arms on said frame,

each having an arm rest,

support means carrying said arm rest on said frame for adjustablemovement to raise and lower said arm rest,

and including means supporting and confining said arm rest for movementforwards and backwards relative to said frame,

and an adjustable seat on said frame having means confining and guidingsaid seat to raise and lower said seat on said frame,

and including means to tilt said seat,

and means to move said seat forwards and backwards,

whereby said jig may be universally adjusted to the individualrequirements of a user.

2. A gage for personalizing custom built chairs comprising,

a frame,

an adjustable back on said frame having a plurality of sect-ions,

each of said back sections extending the width of said back,

each back section being detachably mounted on said frame to provideinterchangeability of said back sections,

pivot means mounted on each back section,

means on said frame to pivot each back section relative to said frame,

means connected to each back section and to said frame to move each backsection forwards and backwards;

an adjustable arm on opposite sides of said frame each having a cushionarm rest,

said arm having means to raise and lower said arm rest,

and means to move said cushioned arm rest forwards and backwards;

and an adjustable seat on said frame having means to raise and lowersaid seat relative to said frame,

means to tilt said seat relative to said frame,

and means to move said seat forwards and backwards relative to saidframe,

whereby said jig is universally adjustable to accommodate therequirements of the prospective user.

3. A gage for personalizing custom built chairs comprising,

a frame, an adjustable back on said frame having a plurality ofsections,

each of said sections extending the width of said back,

means on said frame connected to each back section to tilt each backsection,

means on said frame connected to each back section to move each sectionforwards and backwards;

adjustable arms on opposite sides of said frame each having an arm base,

a cushion arm rest movably mounted on said arm base for adjustablelengthwise movement,

rod means connected to both adjustable arm bases and slidably mounted onsaid frame,

and means to slide said rod means to raise and lower said arms;

and an adjustable seat on said frame having means to raise and lowersaid seat,

means to tilt said seat,

and means to move said seat forwards and backwards,

whereby said jig is universally adjustable.

4. A gage for persona lizing custom built chairs comprising,

a frame,

an adjustable back on said frame having a plurality of sections,

each of said sections extending the width of said back,

means on said frame connected to each back section to tilt each backsection,

means on said frame connected to each back section to move each sectionforwards and backwards;

adjustable arms on said frame and having means including a cushion armrest forming :a vertically adjustable arm supporting surface,

said arms further including means to move said cushioned arm restforwards and backwards;

and an adjustable seat on said frame having,

a spirng base,

a seat cushion over said spring base,

said spring base having detachabie mounting means affordinginterchangeability of base and cushions to selectively vary the densityand de ree of hardness of the seat,

a hydraulic jack mounted in the rear of said jig,

means for actuating said hydraulic jack to raise and lower said frame toadjusted elevations,

means to tiltably mount said frame on said hydraulic jack,

and means to adjustably pivot said frame to provide the desired amountof tilt to the frame,

whereby the jig is universally adjustable.

5. A frame for a jig used to custom build chairs comprising,

a back section having a plurality of mounting boards connected thereto,

said mounting boards having means to detachably and pivotally mount asectional back cushion thereon,

pivotal and longitudinal adjusting means connecting said back boards tosaid back frame,

said back frame being mounted onto a base and side frame of said jig,

said base section having a means to detachably mount a spring base seatthereon,

said frame pivotally mounted to a hydnaulic jack that raises and lowerssaid frame,

and means mounted on the frame to pivot said frame with respect to thepivotal connection of the frame on the hydraulic jack,

an arm base mounted on said frame,

longitudinally adjustable detachable cushion arm rests mounted on saidarm base,

rod means connecting said arm base slidably 'with said frame, and meansmounted on said frame to raise and lower both arm bases simultaneously.

6. A frame for a jig used to make custom built chairs comprising,

a back section having a plurality of mounting boards connected thereto,

said mounting boards having brackets to detachably and pivotally mount asectional back cushion thereon, pivotal and longitudinal adjusting meansrotatably attached to said back boards,

said longitudinal adjusting means being screw-threaded through said backframe,

said pivotal adjusting means rotatably and slidably passing through saidback frame,

said back frame being mounted onto a base and side frame of said jig,

said base section having a means to detachably mount a spring base seatthereon,

said frame pivotally mounted to a hydraulic jack that raises and lowerssaid frame,

and means mounted on the frame to pivot said frame with respect to thepivotal connection of the frame on the hydraulic jack,

an arm base mounted on said frame,

slots in said arm base providing means to adjust a detachable cushionarm rest longitudinally thereof,

rod means connecting said arm base slidably with said frame, meansmounted on said frame to raise and lower both arm bases simultaneously.

7. A jig for custom building an upholstered chair com- 25 prising ahydraulic cylinder disposed on a vertical axis,

a piston in said cylinder having a chair jig frame connected thereto foradjustment to selected elevations,

and means forming adjustable back, seat and arm portions for said chairjig frame,

each of said adjustable portions and said cylinder having actuatorportions extending into a common access zone for actuation by theoperator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS958,356 Bode May 17, 1910 2,549,902 Hibbard Apr. 24, 1951 FOREIGNPATENTS 150,117 Great Britain Sept. 2, 1920

1. AN UPHOLSTERER''S JIG FOR CUSTOMIZING AN UPHOLSTERED CHAIRCOMPRISING, A FRAME, AN ADJUSTABLE BACK ON SAID FRAME HAVING, APLURALITY OF SECTIONS, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS EXTENDING THE WIDTH OF SAIDBACK, MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH BACK SECTION TO TILTABLY SUPPORT EACH BACKSECTION, MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH BACK SECTION TO MOVABLY SUPPORT ANDCONFINE EACH SECTION FOR MOVEMENT FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS; TWO ADJUSTABLEARMS ON SAID FRAME, EACH HAVING AN ARM REST, SUPPORT MEANS CARRYING SAIDARM REST ON SAID FRAME FOR ADJUSTABLE MOVEMENT TO RAISE AND LOWER SAIDARM REST, AND INCLUDING MEANS SUPPORTING AND CONFINING SAID ARM REST FORMOVEMENT FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME, AND ANADJUSTABLE SEAT ON SAID FRAME HAVING MEANS CONFINING AND GUIDING SAIDSEAT TO RAISE AND LOWER SAID SEAT ON SAID FRAME, AND INCLUDING MEANS TOTILT SAID SEAT, AND MEANS TO MOVE SAID SEAT FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS,WHEREBY SAID JIG MAY BE UNIVERSALLY ADJUSTED TO THE INDIVIDUALREQUIREMENTS OF A USER.